Method for the determination of process parameters in a thermal spraying process

Abstract

A method is proposed for the determination of process parameters in a thermal spraying process, in which particles are melted or made plastic or vaporized by means of a thermal spraying apparatus ( 1 ) and are transported by a flow of fluid (G) to a substrate ( 6 ). In said method an operating model is constructed for the thermal spraying process or for the thermal spraying apparatus, with which a simulation of the thermal spraying process can be done and which includes a flow mechanical model and also an electromagnetic model, wherein the flow mechanical model and the electromagnetic model are coupled together and at least one process parameter is determined by means of the operating model.

1 . A method for the determination of process parameters in a thermal spraying process, in which particles are melted or made plastic or vaporized by means of a thermal spraying apparatus and are transported by a flow of fluid to a substrate, wherein, in said method, an operating model is constructed for the thermal spraying process or for the thermal spraying apparatus, with which a simulation of the thermal spraying process can be done and which includes a flow mechanical model and also an electromagnetic model, wherein the flow mechanical model and the electromagnetic model are coupled together and at least one process parameter is determined by means of the operating model. 
   
   
       2 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , in which the operating model includes the interaction between the particles and the flow of fluid. 
   
   
       3 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , in which at least one of the following process parameters is determined: speed of the particles, temperature of the particles at the surface of the particles, temperature inside the particles, aggregate state of the particles, track of the particles, point of impact of the particles. 
   
   
       4 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , in which a temperature profile is generated for the particles. 
   
   
       5 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , in which a speed profile or a temperature profile is generated for the flow of fluid. 
   
   
       6 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , in which a desired value is specified for at least one process parameter and the thermal spraying apparatus or the thermal spraying process is optimized by means of the operating model, until the desired value is reached within specifiable limits, 
   
   
       7 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , in which the thermal spraying apparatus includes a nozzle through which the flow of fluid emerges, wherein the operating model is used to optimize the nozzle. 
   
   
       8 . A method in accordance with  claim 1 , in which the thermal spraying apparatus is a plasma spraying apparatus, in which at least one arc is produced between an anode and a cathode arrangement. 
   
   
       9 . A method in accordance with  claim 8  in which the shape and/or the contact points of the arc are determined by means of the operating model. 
   
   
       10 . A thermal spraying apparatus, in particular a plasma spraying apparatus, which is operated with the aid of a method in accordance with  claim 1 . 
   
   
       11 . A computer program product for the implementation of a method in accordance with  claim 1  in a data processing unit.